Alabama Women Get The Blues
Our America's Music series continues with The Blues!
America’s Music celebrates Alabama Blues Women: Debbie Bond, SharBaby, and Elnora Spencer
Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203
Hear three greats come together to celebrate the blues!
Blues singer, guitar player, Shar Baby settled in Alabama in 2006 after performing at the Freedom Creek Blues Festival, connecting with the late great Willie King and the rich blues culture of Alabama where she finally felt at home. Often compared to Jessie Mae Hemphill, she cites Hubert Sumlin and Howlin' wolf as early influences. SharBaby's music has received international critical acclaim for its mix of good-time soulful traditional blues with contemporary originality.
Singer, guitar player, songwriter, Debbie Bond has been paying her dues in the Alabama backwoods for over 30 years. She is a blues activist and founded the Alabama Blues Project, to promote and preserve the states great blues heritage. One of her projects is the Exhibition "Red Hot and Blue: A Spotlight on Alabama Blues Women," which celebrated past Alabama Blues women. Her musical story includes years of performing with older, traditional Alabama blues musicians, in clubs, festival stages, and schools including Johnny Shines, Eddie Kirkland, Willie King and more. Her immersion in the blues has deeply flavored her guitar playing, soulful voice and song writing, yet her sound is contemporary and original, incorporating soul, blues rock and even country influences. This unique musical synthesis can be heard on her latest album, Hearts Are Wild.
Adamsville born Elnora Spencer came from a musical family and has now been singing the blues for over 40 years. Famous for her big voice and outstanding vocal range, over the years she has opened and played with many blues greats, including B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Percy Sledge, Johnny Taylor and more. Voted Birmingham’s best vocalist multiple times, she brings her own powerful version of classic blues to modern times.
August 12 – September 6, 2013 Exhibit available during regular library hours
Red, Hot and Blue: A Spotlight on Alabama Blues Women
Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203
In 2005 the Alabama Blues Project launched a traveling exhibition on Alabama blues women called Red, Hot and Blue: A Spotlight on Alabama Blues Women. The exhibition includes beautiful text panels featuring Dinah Washington, Big Mama Thornton, Lucille Bogan, Coot Grant, Odetta, Lil Greenwood, and Vera Hall. The Alabama Blues Project’s mission is to preserve and promote Alabama blues.
For more info on the entire series, visit BPL's website on America's Music.
 |
| Click the logo for the list of discussions and performances scheduled at BPL |
Comments